Bluefin Marathon 2008 Team Blog by Bluefin

Well, I've tried...but it's no use...I'm wide awake!!!

It's just after 4am and I've been trying for the last hour to get myself back to sleep.  At least I've had 4 hours...better than nothing I guess.

Hugh, Tom, Mandeep and I all met up yesterday to register at EcXeL (Henry registered earlier in the week).  We weren't sure how busy it was going to be as generally the Saturday tends to be the busiest day, however no problems - well organised as usual.  We had a look around the expo, grabbed some more carbs at the pasta party (which I thought was a bit of a rip-off this year - a few years ago you got also got a cuppa and a t-shirt thrown in too!).  We met up with Clover & Sofia at the WellChild which was great, we finally managed to put a face to the names :)

I've just been checking the weather forecast again...it's looking ok until about 1pm (highs of around 13 degrees), then some showers expected.  A complete contrast to last year, that was a hot day!

I think I'll stick the kettle on, and start to get myself sorted.  Got to figure out how I'm going to spray my hair pink without re-decorating the bathroom.



Not long to go now...good luck all!

Cheers

Andrew

I completed my last Slow Long Run today of 12.25 miles in 01:51:24 which, like last week, is faster than my BFHM pace. In fact it equates to a 1:59 half marathon time so I'm feeling pretty encouraged with just a week to go. This time I ignored the HR monitor and just did what I felt like a gentle pace to about 8 miles then went a bit faster over the last 4.

This approach seems to work well so next week at least the first 15-16 will be a nice gentle pace then, if everything feels OK, I'll see how much I can push it. Any time under 5 hours I'll be pleased with, under 4:30 and I'll be on cloud 9 as that would be an hour faster than last year.

A very welcome week's holiday this week before meeting up with the team for expo next saturday and the excitement starts to mount. Last year at this stage I was really quite apprehensive. This year I can't wait; roll on the 13th!

Hughbie

P.S. I happened to say to Fiona today something about "If I do it again". She didn't look too happy about that idea. mmm...maybe a half marathon next.

but the runners world schedule said 17 miles today so I dutifily went through with it. I kept HR between 130 and 135 for the first 13 which is a challenge in itself and then ran the last 4 at my own pace. result? 2hrs 44 which is faster than my BFHM pace. strange...I think my marathon day strategy will be to do the first 15-17 at under 135 HR and then just run the rest as best I can and see what happens. It does appear to work in giving me more energy for the harder later miles.

Next week I'll do my 12 miles on the saturday and then I'm on holiday for the week leading up to the big day.

My son's 18th birthday celebrations today. Its a bit worrying that I now have 3 grown up children. Gulp! I must be getting old.

Only 2 weeks to go everybody...

Hughbie

When Dan once said to a client that "Hugh is the Man of Steel" it was in reference to my ability to recover the next day from overindulgence on alcohol. Well last night I truly surpassed myself and showed how the training has become a bit of a way of life.

Out with Matt, Kiran and George where we started drinking at 6PM and finished at 2AM the last hour or so of which I remember nothing. Yet my alarm went off at 6AM and I ran 8 miles (laps of regent's park) 4 hours after being barely able to find my way back to my hotel room. Matt has the usual video evidence of course...

The run felt pretty easy too but then I guess I'd must still have been "under the influence". Do you think I should try this the night before the big one?

Man of Steel (Hugh)